Author Topic: Axle Housing U-bolts  (Read 2788 times)

Offline SlyGuy

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Axle Housing U-bolts
« on: November 03, 2019 - 01:40:38 PM »
I'm a little confused on the size I need for the u-bolts that hold the axle to the leaf springs on my '72 Challenger. It looks like I need a 3 inch inside diameter to fit around the axle, but the holes on the mounting plate, under the leaf spring, are 3 inches center to center (meaning the inside diameter is smaller). Is that normal, do you have to compress the u-bolts a little to fit the plate? Or am I missing something?  :clueless:




Offline jimynick

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Re: Axle Housing U-bolts
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2019 - 09:19:48 PM »
You're not missing much. U-bolts have always had a certain blacksmith aspect to them and it isn't uncommon to have to use a BFH to "adjust" the bolts ends to fit the bolt's plates. Just don't beat the bejeezus out of the threaded part.  :cheers:

Offline SlyGuy

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Re: Axle Housing U-bolts
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2019 - 06:40:43 PM »
Good to know. Glad to hear I'm not losing my mind.....yet. Why would I EVER think anything might be easy on this project. The good news is that I do have a BFH. Thanks!

Offline jimynick

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Re: Axle Housing U-bolts
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2019 - 08:07:11 PM »
Ha, ha! Welcome to the club laddie, welcome to the club!  :cheers:

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Axle Housing U-bolts
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2019 - 11:39:13 AM »
Totally normal.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)